Washington: The US is planning to sell eight new F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan though it is unclear if the Congress will agree to the deal amid concerns among lawmakers whether the advanced aircraft would be used against India than for counter-terrorism.
<img title="Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US Secretary of State John Kerry in a meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Pic/PTI" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2015/oct/23-John-Kerry.jpg" alt="Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US Secretary of State John Kerry in a meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Pic/PTI" /> Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US Secretary of State John Kerry in a meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Pic/PTI
According to a local media report, the Congress was notified about the proposed sale of F-16s just days ahead of the Oval Office meeting between US President Barack Obama and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
At the same time, the report said that many in the Congress fear that F-16 jets are more useful to Pakistan in its long confrontation with India than for counter-terrorism.
More power to you! The new F-16s would add to Pakistan&rsquo;s sizeable force of fighter jets, which include more than 70 F-16s and dozens of French and Chinese attack aircraft. The report, however, added &ldquo;it is unclear if Congress will approve the deal&rdquo;.
Earlier in April, the US State Department approved Pakistan&rsquo;s request for a billion dollars worth of military hardware and equipment, identifying Pakistan as a country of vital importance for US foreign policy and national interests.
Friends with benefits? By deciding to sell F-16 jets to Pakistan, the Obama Administration has ignored concerns about Islamabad&rsquo;s &ldquo;ties to elements of the Taliban and quickly expanding nuclear arsenal&rdquo; with the hope that such a move would &ldquo;bolster&rdquo; a tenuous partnership.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Dawn newspaper reported that in May this year, the US handed over to Pakistan over 14 combat aircraft, 59 military trainer jets and 374 armoured personnel carriers. The weapons supplied to Pakistan were earlier used by American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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US to sell F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan

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US to sell F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan

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